Pakistan's premier fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has delivered an optimistic update regarding his fitness, confirming he is on a clear path to recovery ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The global tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, commencing on February 7, 2026.
Rehabilitation Progress Under PCB's Watchful Eye
The 25-year-old left-arm pacer is currently recuperating from a knee issue but expressed strong confidence in making a timely return. He revealed that his rehabilitation process is being meticulously managed and monitored by the medical team of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "My rehab is ongoing, with the PCB team monitoring it," Afridi stated in an interview cited by the ICC.
He outlined his current routine, which involves gym sessions and focused work on his batting skills. The star bowler also provided a crucial timeline for his return to bowling, saying, "I'm doing gym work and working on my batting at the moment. I'll start bowling from next week."
Injury Less Severe, Recovery Timeline Shortened
In a significant relief for fans and the team management, Afridi clarified that this injury setback is not as serious as the one he faced previously. He provided details, indicating the problem involves some swelling on the bone. Based on the medical reports, he is hopeful for a swift recovery.
"It's not as serious as it was last time. There's a bit of swelling on the bone. The MRI report wasn't that [concerning], this might not take a month. It's more like a week," Afridi explained, showcasing his positive outlook.
Team Focus on Collective Improvement for World Cup
Looking beyond his personal recovery, Shaheen Afridi emphasized that the entire Pakistan squad is concentrating on elevating their overall game as preparations for the mega event ramp up. He acknowledged the natural fluctuations in performance but stressed the importance of continuous learning and refinement.
"There's always ups and downs in any sport," he said. "But the aim is to learn from everywhere so that when you play for your country, you've improved. Our focus was that we see how we can improve when it comes to playing for our country, what errors can we rectify, what good things we can continue with."
He downplayed the significance of individual achievements, placing team consistency and collective progress above personal milestones. "It's not necessary that you go there and take five wickets every game or score a 50 or 100 in every game. Everyone is trying to improve," Afridi added.
Current Tour and World Cup Group Details
Presently, the Pakistan team is engaged in a three-match T20 International series in Sri Lanka, a tour considered valuable preparation for the World Cup conditions. Pakistan has taken a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the first match by six wickets.
Afridi believes such overseas tours are beneficial, stating, "We've played a lot of good cricket over the last year. Anytime you go to a country before a tournament and play some games there, it helps the players and I hope it does in this case also."
In the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan has been placed in Group A. Their group-stage opponents will be:
- India
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- United States
The Men in Green will kick off their campaign against the Netherlands on February 7 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
